Five Ponds Ecosystems Dynamics

Roots growing into the ground in response to the force of gravity is an example of -

• hydrotropism

• thigmotropism

• geotropism

• phototropism

Mullet are fish that move in schools and feed on plankton and plant matter. Based on the data shown in the diagram, one might infer that a new predator was introduced into the area. What is another possible explanation for the change in the mullet population?

• Mullet prey increased in the area

• Competition in the area increased

• Mullet parasites decreased in the area

• The amount of aquatic plants in the area increased

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which of the following would most likely cause a fox population to increase?

• Excess food, few predators, and increased birth rates

• Limited food and increased competition among species

• More predators, a lack of living space, and drought conditions

• Normal amounts of food, flooding, and decreased birth rates

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Many products (such as furniture, paper, and books) are made from trees. What is a consequence of humans cutting down a forest to use this natural resource?

• A decrease of chemical runoff into the oceans

• An increase in biodiversity in the forest

• A decrease in the amount of acid rain

• An increase in the destruction of habitats

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which short-term change would have the greatest positive impact on an ecosystem?

• Uncontrolled forest fire started by lightning

• Earthquake that creates new habitats

• Beach erosion due to hurricanes

• Long periods of extreme drought

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The common brushtail possum is a marsupial native to Australia. When introduced to New Zealand, this possum had no natural predators and had an abundant food supply. Which change likely occurred a few years after its introduction to New Zealand?

• The possums became extinct

• The possum population grew to a larger size

• The possums developed shorter life spans

• The possum population evolved into a different species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Eutrophication can cause an(n) -

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Systems change in response to inputs and outflows of energy. In the food chain shown, an increase in the mouse population would cause a decrease in -

• plants

• grasshoppers

• snakes

• owls

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Lots of large-mouth bass live in a small lake near Roanoke, Virginia. An increase in fishing might affect the lake ecosystem because -

• predators might starve due to the loss of a food source

• bass will spend more time swimming near the surface

• the population of bass prey would decrease

• water in the lake would decrease due to more fishing

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

If a forest fire killed all of the producers in the food web shown, which animals would first experience an immediate decline in population?

• Kit Fox

• Ground Squirrel

• Golden Eagle

• Scorpion

• Grasshopper

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3